Bookkeeping qualifications

AAT bookkeeping qualifications provide training for a huge range of bookkeeping roles and are recognised by employers worldwide. They can prepare students to become an AAT bookkeeping member and also open up the opportunity to be your own boss.

We offer three short bookkeeping qualifications, which take from two to 12 months to complete.

Students can start with any qualification depending on their existing skills and experience. If they already have some accounting experience, they should use AAT Skillcheck to find out which qualification is right for them.

Typical bookkeeper job roles vary according to the level of bookkeeping qualification undertaken – take a look at each qualification to find out more.

Bookkeeping qualifications explained

Gain essential skills for a range of finance roles.

AAT bookkeeping qualifications take from two to 12 months to complete and will give you the fundamental skills that underpin many roles in finance. See where each qualification can take you, then find out more about them below.

Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping

Level 1 Award in Bookkeeping

How long it takes on average: 2–3 months, depending on the student and mode of study

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Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping 

Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping 

How long it takes on average: 3 months, depending on the student and mode of study

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Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping

Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping

How long it takes on average: 6–12 months, depending on the student and mode of study

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This qualification can be used as a route to professional AAT bookkeeping member (AATQB) status.

What job will you discover?

What job will you discover?

Our access and bookkeeping qualifications help you gain essential skills and knowledge that can used in a variety of finance roles. But what’s it like to be a bookkeeper?

Read some job descriptions

Read about all the benefits of becoming an AATQB
Read about all the benefits of becoming an AATQB

Once you complete the AAT Level 3 Certificate in Bookkeeping, you can apply to become an AAT bookkeeping member and use the letters AATQB after your name to demonstrate your knowledge.

Find out more about being your own boss
Find out more about being your own boss

Become self-employed: by studying AAT, you can progress to become an AAT licensed member and run your own practice as an accountant or bookkeeper.